From the 3rd to the 14th October 2018 the Quik Pro France sees world’s best surfers descend on Hossegor in south-west France to take on the notorious beachbreak barrels.

With its huge stretch of west-facing Atlantic beach, France has long been known as one of the great surfing nations. Each year the World Surf League (WSL) Quiksilver Pro France welcomes the elite of the surfing world to Hossegor on the Aquitaine coast. From Hawaii’s John John Florence to Brazil’s Gabriel Medina and France’s very own Jeremy Flores, 36 of the world’s best surfers will compete in the ultimate beachbreak showdown.

The Quik Pro France is the 9th stage of the World Surf League championships and the shifting sandbanks mean that unlike the other stages the competition spot may need to change at short notice. The WSL will check the banks from Seignosse through Hossegor to Capbreton and they’ll change the venue depending on the conditions. In 2013, the comp was moved at the last minute from Hossegor up to Le Penon in Seignosse. This year, the organisers are hoping to run the comp at La Gravière, but there’s every likelihood that the venue could shift. To give you an idea, the event has been held in 4 different spots in 5 years – Les Culs Nus (2010 and 2015), La Gravière (2011 and 2012), Le Penon (2013) or even Les Gardians (2014). So, if you’re heading to the comp, make sure you have some sort of transport like a bike that will allow you to get up and down the beach in the event that the comp unexpectedly changes location.

Quiksilver Pro France 2018 News

South West France is home to some of the world’s best sandbanks. The offshore Capbreton Canyon channels the ocean’s energy towards Hossegor and serves to magnify the swell.

Every year, a location in Hossegor is hand-picked as the event site based off sandbar conditions. This year, the contest organisers are looking at Les Estagnots and La Gravière with the central location for the event being at Les Culs Nus. The waiting period runs from October 3 – 14 and if the forecast holds true, it’s sure to showcase some of the best surfing you’ll see all year.

The Quiksilver Pro France is the ninth out of eleven events on the WSL Championship Tour, which means it always puts the heat on the World Title race. On the men’s side, Filipe Toledo currently holds the Jeep Leader Jersey but he is being closely followed (and hunted) by fellow Brazilian Gabriel Medina. On the women’s side, Stephanie Gilmore holds the No.1 spot and if she continues on track, she could claim the Title in the coming weeks.

Gabriel Medina has a solid track record in Hossegor and is the defending event champ. After winning the last two WSL events – the Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o and Surf Ranch Pro, Medina is again fired up for Hossegor. He was ranked World No. 2 at the end of last year so he’ll be feeling the title race pressure.

Filipe Toledo’s barrel to massive aerial 360 earned him a perfect 10 at the 2016 Quiksilver Pro France, so it’s not going to be easy to snatch that leader jersey from him.

Event Location

It’s finally been confirmed that La Gravière in Hossegor will be the spot to host the competition. The banks have been holding up well again this year and with some decent swell there should be some epic beachbreak waves on show. La Gravière is a great spot for spectators as you get heavy surf conditions super close to the beach.

Local surfing talent to watch out for

There’ll be a few Frenchies in the lineup to stoke the home crowd. Michel Bourez, currently placed 16th, will enter round 1 opposite Joel Parkinson and Jack Freestone. Jérémy Flores, currently 17th, will showdown against Gabriel Medina and Italian Leonardo Fioravanti, the 2013 ASP European junior champion who lives in Seignosse, so he knows these waves especially well. Joan Duru (18th) will be up against Brazilians Miguel Pupo and Filipe Toledo.

Quik Pro France Accommodation

Beach hotels, surf camps, private villas and hostels, Hossegor has loads of cool places to stay for your trip to the Quik Pro.

NATUREO SURF CAMP – SEIGNOSSE

From tbc € per night

Natureo Surf Camp offers surf camp accommodation packages and surfing holidays so you can discover the best surf spots in the area including Seignosse and Hossegor. Natureo Surf Camp isn’t just about surfing. You can learn to SUP in the waves, take yoga classes or take a ride along the beach on a fat bike.

JO & JOE HOSTEL – HOSSEGOR

From 31 € per night

Come with friends, come to make friends or come as a couple. Individual and shared bedrooms. Each bed is huge and comfy, equipped with a USB port, a bedside lamp and bedsheets. All bedrooms have access to the Happy House: a living room and kitchen space dedicated for guests sleeping on the spot. Breakfast from 4 €.

HOTEL 202 – HOSSEGOR

From 125 € per night

Hotel 202 is a plush super modern hotel right in the centre of Hossegor. You can expect a warm welcome from the hosts. Nice big rooms with nice big beds and good powerful shower. The breakfast spread is top rated and will set you up for a day of spectating or surfing, or both. There’s a pool and free on-site parking.